Blueberry plant named ‘DrisBlueTwo’

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of blueberry plant named ‘DrisBlueTwo’ primarily characterized by medium-large berries with medium sweetness, medium acidity, and a nearly spherical berry shape and berries that have green flesh, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Vaccinium corymbosum.

Variety denomination: ‘DrisBlueTwo’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct blueberry cultivar designated ‘DrisBlueTwo’ and botanically known as Vaccinium corymbosum. This new blueberry cultivar was discovered in Watsonville in Santa Cruz County, Calif. in September 2000 and originated from a cross between the female parent blueberry plant ‘Magnolia’ (unpatented) and the proprietary male parent blueberry plant ‘MS189’ (unpatented).

The original seedling of the new cultivar was asexually propagated at a nursery in Watsonville in Monterey County, Calif. ‘DrisBlueTwo’ was subsequently asexually propagated and underwent further testing at a nursery in Watsonville in Santa Cruz County, Calif. for seven years. ‘DrisBlueTwo’ has been asexually propagated via softwood cuttings. The present invention has been found to be stable and reproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Watsonville in Santa Cruz, Calif.

-   -   1. Medium-large berries with medium sweetness;     -   2. Medium acidity and a nearly spherical berry shape; and     -   3. Berries that have green flesh.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs show typical specimens of the new cultivar at various stages of development as nearly true as it is possible to make in color reproductions. The photos are of plants that are seven years old.

FIG. 1 shows a close-up of a leaf cluster.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of both the upper surface and lower surface of the leaves.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up of the mature flowers.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up of the whole fruit and a cross-section of the fruit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following description of ‘DrisBlueTwo’ is based on observations taken from the 2007 growing season in Santa Cruz, Calif., where the age of the ‘DrisBlueTwo’ plants was 7 years, while the age of the O'Neal plants were 12 years old. All descriptions are in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic and cultural conditions. ‘DrisBlueTwo’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Color terminology follows The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, London (R.H.S.) (2001).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Table 1 shows plant characteristics of the new variety compared with plant characteristics of blueberry plant ‘O'Neal’ (unpatented). Table 1 includes plant, canopy and cane characteristics.

TABLE 1 Characteristic ‘DrisBlueTwo’ ‘O'Neal’ Plant: Vigor Strong Low Growth habit Spreading to Bushy ascending shrub Chilling requirement Medium; believed to Medium be no more than 500-600 hours below 45° C. based on observations in Watsonville, California Hardiness At least to USDA Zone 9b based on performance in Watsonville, California Propagation From softwood From softwood cuttings cuttings Canopy: Bush height (cm) 129 134 Canopy width (cm) 133 124 Height/Width ratio 1.0 1.1 Canes: Mature cane diameter (cm) 0.836 0.734 Mature cane length (cm) 78.2 69.0 Mature cane color RHS 146C RHS 138A (yellow-green) (green) Cane renewal Medium Weak

Table 2 shows plant characteristics of the new variety compared with plant characteristics of blueberry plant ‘O'Neal’ (unpatented). Table 2 includes bud, calyx, corolla, flower and pedicel characteristics.

TABLE 2 Characteristic ‘DrisBlueTwo’ ‘O'Neal’ Bud: Time of bud break Medium Early Flowers per bud 8 6 Calyx: Diameter at anthesis (cm) 0.66 0.658 Lobe count 5 5 Color RHS 138B RHS 145C (medium green) (light yellow-green) Corolla: Petals, general Fused into a corolla Fused into a corolla with 5 lobes with 5 lobes Length (cm) 1.042 1.014 Diameter (cm) 0.624 0.886 Aperature diameter (cm) 0.416 0.334 Mature color RHS 157B (white) RHS 155A (white) Flower: Type Perfect hypogynous Perfect hypogynous (inferior ovary); (inferior ovary); stamens attached at stamens attached at base of fused corolla base of fused tube corolla tube Shape Urceolate Urceolate Number of flowers per Eight Six cluster Fragrance Absent to faint Very faint Size Medium Medium 50% anthesis (full bloom) March 15^(th) 1% bloom Medium Early Peduncle: Length 0.27 cm 0.13 cm Color RHS N144D RHS 144A (Yellow-green) (Dark yellow-green) Pedicel: Color RHS N144D RHS 144D (light yellow-green) (light yellow-green) Length (cm) 0.612 0.478

Table 3 shows plant characteristics of the new variety compared with plant characteristics of blueberry plant ‘O'Neal’ (unpatented). Table 3 includes leaf and shoot characteristics.

TABLE 3 Characteristic ‘DrisBlueTwo’ ‘O'Neal’ Leaves: Arrangement Alternate Alternate Shape Broadly elliptic to Simple and broadly slightly ovate elliptic to slightly ovate Apex Broadly acute to Broadly acute acuminate Base Broadly acute Broadly acute to slightly cuneate Margin Serrulate Entire Pubescence Absent-glabrous Absent-glabrous Length (cm) 0.658 0.662 Width (cm) 3.92 3.44 Length/width ratio 0.2 1.9 Color, upper surface RHS 137A (green) RHS 137A (green) Color, lower surface RHS N138B (green) RHS 138B (green) Venation Reticulate Reticulate Petiole: Length (cm) 0.42 0.40 Color RHS N144D RHS N144D (yellow-green) (yellow-green) Shoots: Internode length (cm) 0.862 1.634

Table 4 shows plant characteristics of the new variety compared with plant characteristics of blueberry plant ‘O'Neal’ (unpatented). Table 4 includes berry, skin, peduncle and seed characteristics.

TABLE 4 Characteristic ‘DrisBlueTwo’ ‘O'Neal’ Berry: Shape Nearly spherical Slightly oblate sphere Size Medium-large Medium Weight (g) 1.5 1.39 Height 1.564 1.284 (cm, pedicel scar to calyx) Diameter 1.796 1.508 (cm at widest point) Height/diameter ratio 0.87 0.85 Firmness Firm Medium Sweetness Medium Strong Acidity Medium Mild Season/timing (25% ripe) Early to mid-season Early season Season/timing (50% ripe) June 8^(th) June 14^(th) Pedicel scar diameter (cm) 0.168 0.16 Skin: Bloom deposition Weak Medium Mature color with bloom RHS 102C (blue) RHS 98C (violet-blue) Mature color without bloom RHS 103A (blue) RHS 103A (blue) Immature color with bloom RHS 191A (green) RHS 143D (light green) Flesh: Color RHS 193C (green) RHS 157A (green-white) Seed: Abundance 19 per fruit 27 per fruit Color RHS 164A RHS 165B (orange-brown) (greyed-orange) Length (cm) 0.170 0.200 Width (cm) 0.130 0.112 Length/width ratio 1.31 1.79

Table 5 shows plant characteristics of the new variety compared with plant characteristics of blueberry plant ‘O'Neal’ (unpatented). Table 5 includes the reproductive organs.

TABLE 5 Characteristic ‘DrisBlueTwo’ ‘O'Neal’ Reproductive Organs: Ovary color RHS 122A RHS 133C (green) (blue-green) Pollen color RHS 11C (yellow) RHS 8D (light- yellow) Pollen abundance Sparse Sparse Anther length 0.46 cm 0.488 cm Anther color RHS N167A RHS N170A (greyed-orange) (greyed-orange) Style length, including 0.928 cm 0.810 cm stigma (cm)

-   Resistance to diseases and insects: Disease resistance is typical of     blueberry plants.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL VARIETIES

When ‘DrisBlueTwo’ is compared with the female parent ‘Magnolia’ (unpatented), ‘DrisBlueTwo’ has medium-large berries that are nearly spherical in shape, while ‘Magnolia’ has small berries that are oblate in shape.

When ‘DrisBlueTwo’ is compared to the male parent ‘MS189’ (unpatented), ‘DrisBlueTwo’ has medium-large berries with medium sweetness, while ‘MS189’ has medium-sized berries with mild flavor. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of blueberry plant as described and shown herein. 